New CDs

This CD cover image released by Astralwerks shows 'Ice on the Dune,' by Empire of the Sun.

Kanye West, 'Yeezus' (Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella)

It's hard to digest all of Kanye West on his new album.

"Yeezus" is the rapper's darkest, eeriest and most erratic album of his six solo releases. He is in militant form on the 10-track set, rapping over beats that are artsy, electronic and gloomy. It's a far stretch from the contemporary rap and pop success he achieved with more than a dozen Top 10 hits, including "Gold Digger," "Stronger" and "Heartless." But that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Yeezus" continues on the dark and emotive path he set on 2010's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and "808s & Heartbreak," which was released two years earlier. The production throughout "Yeezus" is exceptional, with Rick Rubin, Daft Punk, No ID, RZA and more helping out. The album flows nicely, with songs including layered vocals and transitions that elevate them to great heights: "On Sight" starts the album with the right energy and West gets an epic and soulful assist from Charlie Wilson on the closing track, "Bound 2." It's a classic Yeezy effort and arguably the album's best track.

Lyrically, though, West isn't always at his best. The album lacks deep storytelling from the 36-year-old, which he powerfully delivered on past albums.

While West has promoted "Yeezus" with performances on "Saturday Night Live" and video projections to match the album's wild sound, he's releasing it without a huge single on radio or on the charts.

There isn't even an official music video. While he charted new territory on "Twisted Fantasy," that album was sprinkled with radio-ready anthems like "All of the Lights."

Empire of the Sun 'Ice on the Dune' (Astralwerks)

Empire of the Sun's new album opens with the instrumental track "Lux," using drums of epic grandeur to build the anticipation for a record we have waited five years to hear.

That's followed by "DNA," a surefire single and the strongest track on "Ice on the Dune."

The voice of lead singer Luke Steele blends nicely as he sings "be my DNA" over a brilliant beat, which results in a pounding chorus

The Australian electronic duo's follow-up to 2008's "Walking on a Dream" is polished. It seems like almost every song could be a summer anthem.

The lyrics are loved up, and even in the slower moments on the record, Empire of the Sun gets it right.

The title track is dreamy and smooth, as Steele sings: "Let's go running away, we can always be together," and "I'll Be Around" hits you with Fleetwood Mac style.